God would be very happy to help us now, going through this world and into eternity. Some seek His help through religion, but the reality is each of us needs much more than a religion. We need a solid ongoing relationship with God. Jesus Christ Who, being all man and all God, is the Father’s ordained means for real satisfying life now and for all of eternity. Consider what the Holy Spirit said through the Apostle Paul as recorded in Colossians 1:19-23 in writing to those of the Church at Colossae:
“For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”
As you see the redemptive work of Christ is mentioned in verses 19-20. 21 to 22a describes what I will call the starting point for each new disciple of Christ, with the balance of 22 being the goal. The first parts of verse 23 shows us how to keep on going in Christ so we get to the goal. From verse 23 we will see these four steps of enduring power that bring us a full life now, and propels us toward enjoying eternity.
I. Continue IN THE FAITH 23a
Notice very well the two letter word that begins verse 23, “if”. Though we are definitely not saved from the wrath of God and all else by our works we must enter in, and continue in, the finished work of Jesus Christ (compare Philippians 2:12-13). This is very similar to the third point I stated in the message, Three Who Shortchanged Themselves {1}.
If one is to remain a disciple they are to continue in the faith, which is all that Jesus Christ is for us. One is to keep going. Even stopping means one is slipping backward from the Shepherd Who leads His flock. In the spiritual realm we must always move forward and upward. To continue in the faith is a state of being, and Jesus said the only way to the Father is through Him (John 14:6).
II. Grounded (firmly established) 23b
The very first root that any true disciple puts downward into his entire being is Christ Himself. Christ comes in as Savior, King, and Lord (boss). One personally knows God through Christ, and obeys Christ, the ever living Word of God. The disciple must then further ground himself, and continue grounding himself, in the written Word of God, the Holy Bible {2}. From these two roots the disciple can be further grounded by obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit. As a disciple does all of these things they become more grounded as they continue in Christ.
Here I feel led of God to mention spiritual discernment. While there is the gift of discerning spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10), every true disciple has a level of discernment (1 John 2:20). As one knows Christ more, and His written and spoken Word more, and goes through daily life, their spiritual discernment will grow.
It is vitally important that each disciple know the written Word of God. The more one knows, the better. It is very important that a Christian know the entire Holy Bible very well, and believe it instead of what many Christians say. On this I must think of many who have been used by God in the healing ministry. Their work in Christ was powerful, but some of their teachings, comments, and more were far from the Word of God. Please remember that just because someone is being used by God in the gift of healing does not mean we should believe everything they say. Note what Deuteronomy 13:1-5 says. Someone being used by God in miracles, healings, etc. does not mean they are a good teacher / proclaimer of the Word.
III. Settled 23c
As I think of the term “settled” as found in the Authorized Translation and Young’s Literal Translation, with “steadfast” being used in a number of other translations, I must think of a house settling, conforming to its foundation over time. We must, in love, conform ourselves to the Living, written, and spoken Word of God.
We should not try to conform the Word of God to the world. It must be the other way around. We must measure and deal with the world according to the Word of God. Likewise, by the grace of God we should measure and deal with ourselves according to the Word of God.
As one grows in Christ they encounter various testings along the way. Sometimes it is temptation. Sometimes it is trouble, or something else. And, as a Christian grows they will learn from the Word of God more things of what a disciple should be doing. Let me use tithing for example. While some think we need not follow that because that “was Old Testament”, it is good to remember that Christ honored the Old Testament and instructed His disciples to go deeper. Take for example “do not commit murder.” Christ pointed out that harboring ungodly hatred toward a person is the same thing. A man’s lustful thinking of a a woman who does not belong to him is the same as adultery.
So, many disciples practice tithing, giving ten percent of their income back to God. As they grow in Him, many give even more. Now, there have been many times a Christian has gotten to the place in their walk with Christ to tithe which, by the way, carries a promise of blessings. Let us say for a number of years or just months they faithfully tithe. God blesses. But then, suddenly a financial trouble occurs. What should be done is that the disciple remains stedfast, settled on the truth of the Word of God, and, in faith, keep on tithing. This is true for all other directives of God’s Word. Out of love, do them, whether you are blessed or not. Trust God and His Word.
IV. Not Moved 23d
When Paul wrote this by the Holy Spirit
satan {3} was trying to move the Colossian Church away from Christ in many ways. For one thing there were some who tried to get the disciples of Christ at Colossae to embrace Judaism, entangling them in Jewish law and tradition. However, the Jewish law was perfectly fulfilled by Christ (Romans 10:4) and its principles made alive by Him. Even today there is a move afoot to draw Christians into aspects of Judaism, if not all of it.Gnosticism in various forms was often presented by some to the Christians at Colossae. One type of gnosticism taught that there were many steps to God. Thus, “Christian” gnosticism had Christ as one of those steps. To counteract this, by the Spirit Paul wrote of the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in Christ in bodily form (Colossians 1:19 and 2:9). Christians today also face various types of gnosticism that would have them trust something other than, or in addition to, Christ.
A third major wave that attempted to sway Colossian believers consisted of the “mystery religions” of that day. There were all sorts! Today, think of the thousands of religions, whether they be non-Christian, pseudo-Christian, or the cults! This is why we must love God through Christ above all things. We should remain in Him no matter what. We should also determine to remain strong in Him and not permit ourselves to be involved in any part of the world’s ways. For example, some Christians think there is no problem with doing yoga. Yet this discipline has roots in a satanic religion.
And, today, of all times, as we draw near to the end of the Gentile Age, the disciple of Christ is also surrounded with politics, social agendas, philosophies, sexual promiscuity and deviancy, and a great host of other things to get them away from Christ. At the time of writing this article many of us are breathing a “sigh of relief” after the conclusion of the Obama administration that not only choked our cherished freedom of religion, but many other freedoms too. However, there are many in Federal, State, and local governments who are just as adamant in persecuting Christians through litigation and other means.
This is why any true disciple needs to be very strong, and remain very strong, on the three previous steps, viz., continuing in the faith, grounded, settled. If one does not remain determined in these areas their spiritual growth will be stunted. Sadly, there are many immature Christians and what is even worse than that is there are many ministers that are shallow, lacking a full knowledge of the Word of God and an experiential walk in Him.
For example, there is an overemphasis on “not judging.” This overemphasis is a weapon of the devil to destroy a Christian’s basic God-given ability to discern. We are to discern {4}. We must discern. It is written (1 John 4:1), “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” A Christian shirks their responsibility when they quip “we are not to judge”.
Another problem in abundance today is that a lot of people claim to be prophets or to have a prophetic ministry. The Word of God does say there would be prophets until Christ physically returns to set up His earthly kingdom, but there are many that prophesy things that are non-Biblical. And, way too many Christians immediately accept such utterances as the spoken Word of God. I would much rather spend my time with the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God that is sure, than to spend time listening to someone who might just want to tickle my ear.
Let us determine that the world shall not move us, but by God’s Spirit we will move the world (Acts 17:6). If we are truly saved, let us be consecrated, not compromising, not moved away from Christ by the world, and not moved away from Christ by any testing. If you have not surrendered your life to Christ please do so before your life ends.
Notes:
{1} Please read Three Who Shortchanged Themselves (taking note of the third point) at http://holybibletreasures.expertscolumn.com/article/three-who-shortchanged-themselves .
{2} Recommended translations at this time include the New King James, King James, Authorized Version, Young’s Literal Translation, and any work by Jay Green.
{3} Not capitalized on purpose. Experts Column gives me the freedom to express myself in that way.
{4} For further insight into spiritual discernment please read Every Christian Ought To Have A Mighty Big Nose at http://holybibletreasures.expertscolumn.com/article/every-christian-ought-to-have-a-mighty-big-nose .
This article was written in the form of a sermon (message) outline with comments. God willing by September 30, 2017 (hopefully much sooner), you should be able to hear the actual message (sermon) by selecting a link at http://www.sapphirestreams.com/life/audioM.html#M467 .
Unless otherwise noted all Holy Scripture is from the New American Standard Bible changing LORD to YHVH as it rightly should be when the text so indicates and adding “(The Existing One)” to readily express the meaning of His Name without making repeated explanations in articles. * = For other versions the spelling of some words is updated for our time in addition to changing LORD to YHVH as it rightly should be when the text so indicates.
Not responsible for any advertisements appearing with this article nor am I necessarily in agreement with any of them. The statements of this paragraph hold true not only for this article, but for everything I have placed on the Internet.
